Apparatus and method of inter-radio access technology measurement scheduling based on an undetected frequency

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and method for wireless communication in a wireless communication network include operating a wireless device on a first wireless communication technology and detecting a first cell in first frequency of a second wireless communication technology. The aspects also include determining the detected cell of the second wireless communication technology satisfies a first reselection criterion based on a first measurement and identifying a second frequency of the second wireless communication technology as an undetected frequency based on monitoring the second frequency without detecting a second cell. Aspects also include expediting a determination of whether to perform cell reselection to the second wireless communication technology based on the undetected frequency and the detected cell of the second wireless communication technology satisfying the first reselection criterion and determining to reselect to the detected cell of the second wireless communication technology.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C §119

The present application for patent claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/611,356 entitled “APPARATUS AND METHOD OF INTER-RADIOACCESS TECHNOLOGY MEASUREMENT SCHEDULING BASED ON UNDETECTED FREQUENCY”,and filed Mar. 15, 2012, and assigned to the assignee hereof and herebyexpressly incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to wirelesscommunication systems, and more particularly, to methods and apparatusof monitoring radio channels.

2. Background

Wireless communication networks are widely deployed to provide variouscommunication services such as telephony, video, data, messaging,broadcasts, and so on. Such networks, which are usually multiple accessnetworks, support communications for multiple users by sharing theavailable network resources. One example of such a network is the UMTSTerrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN). The UTRAN is the radio accessnetwork (RAN) defined as a part of the Universal MobileTelecommunications System (UMTS), a third generation (3G) mobile phonetechnology supported by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).The UMTS, which is the successor to Global System for MobileCommunications (GSM) technologies, currently supports various airinterface standards, such as Wideband-Code Division Multiple Access(W-CDMA), Time Division-Code Division Multiple Access (TD-CDMA), andTime Division-Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA). TheUMTS also supports enhanced 3G data communications protocols, such asHigh Speed Packet Access (HSPA), which provides higher data transferspeeds and capacity to associated UMTS networks.

Another, more advanced network is the evolved UMTS Terrestrial RadioAccess Network, also referred to as the Long Term Evolution (LTE)network. As LTE network deployments largely overlaps with W-CDMAdeployments, when a suitable LTE cell becomes available, typically it ispreferable for a user equipment (UE) operating on a W-CDMA cell toreselect to the LTE cell as soon as the reselection conditions are met.Current cell reselection mechanisms, however, may be relatively slow inperforming the reselection to the LTE cell. This may be especially truewhen the reselection conditions include maintaining a reselectioncriterion for a certain time period.

Therefore, improved cell reselection mechanisms are desired.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more aspects inorder to provide a basic understanding of such aspects. This summary isnot an extensive overview of all contemplated aspects, and is intendedto neither identify key or critical elements of all aspects nordelineate the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is topresent some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as aprelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. Amethod of improving cell reselection is offered. The method includesoperating a wireless device on a first wireless communicationtechnology. Further, the method includes detecting a first cell in firstfrequency of a second wireless communication technology, wherein thesecond wireless communication technology is preferred relative to thefirst wireless communication technology. Additionally, the methodincludes determining the detected cell of the second wirelesscommunication technology satisfies a first reselection criterion basedon a first measurement. Still further the method includes identifying asecond frequency of the second wireless communication technology as anundetected frequency based on monitoring the second frequency withoutdetecting a second cell. The method includes expediting a determinationof whether to perform cell reselection to the second wirelesscommunication technology based on the undetected frequency and thedetected cell of the second wireless communication technology satisfyingthe first reselection criterion, wherein the expediting thedetermination of whether to perform cell reselection comprisesincreasing a frequency of measuring the detected cell. The method alsoincludes determining to reselect to the detected cell of the secondwireless communication technology when at least one new measurementsatisfies a second reselection criterion.

In another aspect, an apparatus of improving cell reselection includes aprocessor configured to operate a wireless device on a first wirelesscommunication technology. Further, the processor is configured to detecta first cell in first frequency of a second wireless communicationtechnology, wherein the second wireless communication technology ispreferred relative to the first wireless communication technology.Additionally, the processor is configured to determine the detected cellof the second wireless communication technology satisfies a firstreselection criterion based on a first measurement. Still further, theprocessor is configured to identify a second frequency of the secondwireless communication technology as an undetected frequency based onmonitoring the second frequency without detecting a second cell. Theprocessor is configured to expedite a determination of whether toperform cell reselection to the second wireless communication technologybased on the undetected frequency and the detected cell of the secondwireless communication technology satisfying the first reselectioncriterion, wherein the at least one processor configured to expedite thedetermination of whether to perform cell reselection is furtherconfigured to increase a frequency of measuring the detected cell. Theprocessor is also configured to determine to reselect to the detectedcell of the second wireless communication technology when at least onenew measurement satisfies a second reselection criterion.

In another aspect, an apparatus for improving cell reselection isoffered that includes means for operating a wireless device on a firstwireless communication technology. Further, the apparatus includes meansfor detecting a first cell in first frequency of a second wirelesscommunication technology, wherein the second wireless communicationtechnology is preferred relative to the first wireless communicationtechnology. Additionally, the apparatus includes means for determiningthe detected cell of the second wireless communication technologysatisfies a first reselection criterion based on a first measurement.Still further, the apparatus includes means for identifying a secondfrequency of the second wireless communication technology as anundetected frequency based on monitoring the second frequency withoutdetecting a second cell. The apparatus includes means for expediting adetermination of whether to perform cell reselection to the secondwireless communication technology based on the undetected frequency andthe detected cell of the second wireless communication technologysatisfying the first reselection criterion, wherein the means forexpediting the determination of whether to perform cell reselectioncomprises means for increasing a frequency of measuring the detectedcell. The apparatus also includes means for determining to reselect tothe detected cell of the second wireless communication technology whenat least one new measurement satisfies a second reselection criterion.

In addition, a computer readable media of improving cell reselection isoffered that may include machine-executable cod for operating a wirelessdevice on a first wireless communication technology. Further, the codemay be executable for detecting a first cell in first frequency of asecond wireless communication technology, wherein the second wirelesscommunication technology is preferred relative to the first wirelesscommunication technology. Additionally, the code may be executable fordetermining the detected cell of the second wireless communicationtechnology satisfies a first reselection criterion based on a firstmeasurement. Still further, the code may be executable for identifying asecond frequency of the second wireless communication technology as anundetected frequency based on monitoring the second frequency withoutdetecting a second cell. the code may be executable for expediting adetermination of whether to perform cell reselection to the secondwireless communication technology based on the undetected frequency andthe detected cell of the second wireless communication technologysatisfying the first reselection criterion, wherein the expediting thedetermination of whether to perform cell reselection comprisesincreasing a frequency of measuring the detected cell. The code may alsobe executable for determining to reselect to the detected cell of thesecond wireless communication technology when at least one newmeasurement satisfies a second reselection criterion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is schematic diagram of an aspect of a wireless device formonitoring radio channels;

FIG. 2 is another schematic diagram of an aspect of a wireless devicefor monitoring radio channels;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an aspect of the wireless device of FIG. 1and FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a timeline of an example use case according to the presentaspects;

FIG. 5 is a timeline of another example use case according to thepresent aspects;

FIG. 6 is a timeline of a further example use case according to thepresent aspects;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an aspect of a method of monitoring radiochannels;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an another aspect of a method of monitoringradio channels;

FIG. 9 is a timeline of an example use case according to the presentaspects;

FIG. 10 is a timeline of another example use case according to thepresent aspects;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardwareimplementation for an apparatus employing a processing system andconfigured to perform the functions described herein;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating an example of atelecommunications system including a user equipment configured toperform the functions described herein;

FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of an accessnetwork for use with user equipment configured to perform the functionsdescribed herein;

FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a radioprotocol architecture for the user and control planes for a base stationand/or a user equipment configured to perform the functions describedherein; and

FIG. 15 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating an example of atelecommunications system including a Node B in communication with auser equipment configured to perform the functions described herein.

It should be noted, a component in any figure represented within dashedlines may be an optional component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of various configurations and isnot intended to represent the only configurations in which the conceptsdescribed herein may be practiced. The detailed description includesspecific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understandingof various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that these concepts may be practiced without these specificdetails. In some instances, well known structures and components areshown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring such concepts.

The described apparatus and methods improve a cell reselection procedureby considering monitored frequencies as a group. For example, uponcamping on a cell, a user equipment (UE) may receive a list offrequencies to be monitored for reselection purposes. As such, duringthe monitoring for and measuring of signals in the list of frequenciesin the group, the UE decides whether a reselection criterion has beensatisfied for any cell in all frequencies in the group.

In an aspect, if the reselection criterion has been satisfied for atleast one cell in at least one frequency of the group, then according tothe present apparatus and methods the UE will use a fast measurementperiodicity, e.g. a periodicity shorter than a normal measurementperiodicity, to schedule the next measurement for the group.

In another aspect, if the reselection criterion has been satisfied forat least one cell in at least one frequency of the group, then accordingto the present apparatus and methods the UE will identify if anyfrequency in the group is an undetected frequency when a cell is notdetected on the frequency. In this case, then the UE will use a fastmeasurement periodicity that is based on the number of detectedfrequencies in the group (e.g., the number in the group of frequenciesminus the number of undetected frequencies) to schedule the nextmeasurement for the group. It should be noted that in this aspect, thefast measurement periodicity equally may be based on the number ofundetected frequencies relative to the number of frequencies in thegroup.

In a further aspect, the two above-noted aspects may be combined suchthat the fast measurement periodicity is shorter than the normalmeasurement periodicity based on a first factor corresponding to thereselection criterion being satisfied for at least one cell in at leastone frequency of the group, and additionally based on a second factorcorresponding to the number of detected frequencies in the group (or,e.g., a ratio of the number of undetected frequencies relative to thenumber of frequencies in the group).

Additionally, in a further aspect, the present apparatus and methodsconfigure a value for the fast measurement periodicity that enables acell reselection to occur as soon as a reselection time period is metfor a cell that satisfies the reselection criterion. The reselectiontime period is a time period over which the reselection criterion needsto be satisfied, e.g. where measurements of characteristics of signalsfrom a cell meet the reselection criteria, in order for the UE toreselect to the cell. For example, in some cases, the UE needs to ensurethat the measurement of the new cell (e.g., the candidate forreselection) is achieves one or more thresholds and/or is better rankedthan the serving cell at least during a time interval, e.g. thereselection time period. In contrast to prior art solutions wheremeasurements are not expedited, the present apparatus and methodsthereby allow a UE to perform cell reselection faster, e.g. uponexpiration of the reselection time period.

Thus, the present apparatus and methods speed-up a cell reselectiondetermination, thereby allowing the UE to more quickly reselect from onecell to another cell. Accordingly, the present apparatus and methods maybe especially useful when one technology type network is preferred overanother technology type network. For example, the present apparatus andmethods may be useful in order to expedite a cell reselection from aWCDMA technology cell to an LTE technology cell, as when a suitable LTEcells becomes available, it may be preferable for a UE to reselect toLTE cell as soon as the reselection conditions are met.

FIG. 1 illustrates a representation of wireless device 10, also referredto herein as a user equipment (UE), having improved cell reselectionperformance. As illustrated, the wireless device 10 of FIG. 1 includes acell monitoring component 12 configured to manage frequency searches todetect cells to consider for reselection. In the representation of FIG.1, cell monitoring component 12 is illustrated as storing a plurality ofvalues including, as shown, information regarding a group of frequencies13, information regarding one or more reselection criteria 26,information regarding a detected cell 32, information regarding one ormore undetected frequencies 40, information regarding a detectedfrequency 42, information regarding a first technology mode 30 andinformation regarding a second technology mode 34. Each of these valueswill be discussed in more detail below. Cell monitoring component 12, asshown, also includes a reselection expeditor component 14 configured tospeed-up a determination as to whether cell reselection should beperformed.

Cell monitoring component 12 may, for example, perform a cellmeasurement and monitoring procedure, such as a cell reselectionprocedure, to identify cell reselection candidates based on signalmeasurements (e.g., power). It should be noted that measuring a detectedcell may comprise measuring signals on a frequency associated with thecell and may also comprise measuring signals on one or more frequenciesof the group of frequencies 13 to identify cells for reselection. Insome implementations, cell monitoring component 12 may perform a WCDMAto LTE cell reselection procedure, although reselections between otherradio access technologies and within a given radio access technology arealso contemplated by the present aspects. As noted above, cellmonitoring component may store information regarding a group offrequencies 13. This stored information, may include, for example, thecarrier frequency for each frequency in the group of frequencies 13 usedby cells of a particular radio access technology (e.g., the secondwireless technology). In operation, cell monitoring component 12initiates periodic monitoring of the group of frequencies 13 to identifycells for reselection. This may include, for example, measuringcharacteristics (e.g., power) of any detected signals, such as signals16 and 18, on any of the frequencies in the group of frequencies 13.

In an exemplary aspect, the group of frequencies 13 may be provided towireless device 10 by the network, such as in a system informationbroadcast message, e.g. a SIB19 message, received from serving basestation 24. Signals 16 and 18 may be, for example, pilot signalsbroadcast by neighbor base stations 22 and 26 adjacent to serving basestation 24, which supports a serving cell 15 where wireless device 10 iscurrently camped (also referred to herein as “connected”). Signals 16and 18 respectively advertise cells 17 and 19 supported by therespective base stations 22 and 26. In one example, serving cell 15 mayoperate on or otherwise communicate according to a first wirelesscommunication technology, such as WCDMA, and cells 17 and 19 may operateon or otherwise communicate according to a second wireless communicationtechnology, such as LTE. As such, the periodic monitoring and measuringof signals may include, but are not limited to, inter-radio accesstechnology measurements.

Further, for example, the cell measurement and monitoring procedureperformed by the cell monitoring component 12 allows wireless device 10to determine, among other things, a signal power such as a receivedsignal code power (RSCP) and/or a ratio of received energy per chip to areceived overall energy (Ec/Io) at the current instant, which can beused in determining to reselect a new cell. For example, wireless device10 may reselect and camp on or connect to a new cell when a power levelof the new cell, such as one of cells 17 or 19, meets a cell reselectioncriteria 26 relative to a power level of serving cell 15 for a cellreselection time period 28. In other words, cell reselection criteria 26may include one or more thresholds, such as a power level threshold thatshould be achieved and maintained for cell reselection time period 28.As noted above, the cell reselection criteria 26 and cell reselectiontime period 28 may be stored by cell monitoring component 12.

Wireless device 10 may operate in discontinuous reception (DRX) toimprove its stand-by time. It should be noted that idle mode proceduresmay be specified in, for example, 3GPP TS 25.304, “User Equipment (UE)procedures in idle mode and procedures for cells reselection inconnected mode,” 3GPP TS 25.133, “Requirements for support of radioresource management (FDD),” and 3GPP TS 25.123, “Requirements forSupport of Radio Resource Management (TDD),” hereby incorporated byreference herein. Moreover, additional procedures, such as handover andinter-RAT procedures may be specified in, for example, 3GPP TS 25.331,“Radio Resource Control (RRC); Protocol specification.” In an aspect, atthe beginning of each DRX cycle, wireless device 10 wakes up,re-acquires the camping cell, measures the Common Pilot IndicatorCHannel (CPICH) Echo and/or CPICH RSCP level of the camping cell andevaluates cell measurement criterion, which may be defined by thenetwork and/or by a wireless communication specification, e.g. an “S” orselection threshold. Depending on a value of the measured CPICH Echoand/or CPICH RSCP level of the camping cell relative to the cellmeasurement criterion, wireless device 10 (e.g., cell monitory component12) may trigger measurements of the group of frequencies 13 and evaluatedetected cells relative to cell reselection criterion 26 and reselectiontime period 28 stored by cell monitoring component 12.

According to the described aspects, cell monitoring component 12 mayexecute reselection expeditor component 14 to enable wireless device 10to speed-up the searching and measuring of frequencies for making a cellreselection determination. Reselection expeditor component 14 may store,for example, a normal measurement periodicity 36 and a fast measurementperiodicity 38, wherein the fast measurement periodicity 38 has asmaller value relative to the normal measurement periodicity 36. Assuch, the wireless device 10 operating according to the fast measurementperiodicity 38 makes more measurements in a same amount of time ascompared to operation according to the normal measurement periodicity36. The normal measurement periodicity 36 may specify the periodicitythat is used by the wireless device 10 in performing measurements of thefrequencies in the group of frequencies 13 during normal operations. Thefast measurement periodicity 38 may specify the periodicity that is usedby the wireless device 10 in performing measurements of the frequenciesin the group of frequencies when the reselection expeditor component 14decides to expedite measurements.

Additionally, wireless device 10 may store procedures for operationaccording to a first technology mode 30 and a second technology mode 34.In an aspect, for example, the first technology mode 30 may correspondto the wireless communications technology of the base station 24 towhich the wireless device 10 is camped on (e.g., WCDMA), while thesecond wireless technology mode 34 may correspond to the second wirelesscommunication technology (e.g., LTE) that the wireless device 10 may beable to select based upon the reselection determination.

As such, in an aspect of the present apparatus and methods, whenwireless device 10 is operating in first wireless communicationtechnology mode 30, cell monitoring component 12 may initiate monitoringthe group of frequencies 13, which may include frequencies correspondingto a different, a second wireless communication technology. As a resultof the monitoring, cell monitoring component 12 may detect a cell of thesecond wireless communication technology, e.g. one of cells 17 or 19referred to as detected cell 32, and store information regarding thedetected cell 32. For example, the stored information may includecharacteristics of the measured signal from detected cell 32, where thecharacteristics may include, for example, a received power level.Further, cell monitoring component 12 may determine that the detectedcell 32 of the second wireless communication technology satisfiesreselection criteria 26, such as a first reselection criterion (e.g. apower level threshold) based on a first measurement. Moreover, cellmonitoring component 12 may determine that the second wirelesscommunication technology associated with detected cell 32 may bepreferred relative to the first wireless communication technology ofserving cell 15, such as when the second wireless communicationtechnology provides an improved quality of service or other improved ordifferent characteristic relative to the first wireless communicationtechnology.

For example, the cell monitoring component 12 may prefer a secondwireless communication technology over the first communicationtechnology based on a technology preference scheme 31 or list, which canbe manually set by a user or obtained by the UE from a network operatoror during manufacture of the UE. For example, but not limited hereto,preference scheme 31 may include a prioritized or ordered list ofwireless communication technology identifiers, wherein an ordering inthe list corresponds to a preference of one technology relative toanother technology. In another aspect, for example, preference scheme 31may include wireless communication technology identifiers andcorresponding preference values, where a relative value of eachpreference value indicates a relative preference. The cell monitoringcomponent 12 may be triggered to a choose the second wireless technologyas preferred over the first wireless technology when a preference orderor value of the second wireless technology relative to the firstwireless technology based on the preference scheme 31 is determined tobe the superior preference order or value. In addition, the preferencelist 31 may also indicate that when the first wireless technology isidentical to the second wireless communication technology, the wirelessdevice continues communication on the first wireless technology.However, the preference list 31 may indicate preferences of certainaspects within the wireless technology, e.g. a preference of onefrequency over another. As such, wireless device 10 may be configuredwith preference scheme 31 that triggers expediting an evaluation ofwhether to reselect to detected cell 32 of the second wirelesscommunication technology in order to operate in a corresponding secondwireless communication technology mode 34.

Moreover, cell monitoring component 12 may also be configured to executereselection expeditor component 14, which may include aspecially-programmed algorithm to expedite a determination of whether toperform cell reselection to the second wireless communication technologybased on the undetected frequency and detecting the cell of the secondwireless communication technology, e.g. detected cell 32. In otherwords, reselection expeditor component 14 may expedite a determinationof whether to perform cell reselection to detected cell 32 of the secondwireless communication technology based on the detected cell 32satisfying reselection criteria 26, which may include a firstreselection criterion such as a first threshold (e.g., a received powerthreshold) associated with a first measurement of the signal of detectedcell 32, wherein expediting the determination of whether to perform cellreselection comprises increasing a frequency of measuring the signal ofthe detected cell 32 so that at least one new measurement occurs priorto an expiration of reselection time period 28.

For example, reselection expeditor component 14 is configured toexpedite the determination of whether to perform cell reselection inorder to allow wireless device 10 to reselect to the second technologynetwork as soon as possible according to the reselection specificationsor standards. In other words, reselection expeditor component 14 insuresthat wireless device 10 performs a cell reselection in a minimumallowable time period in order to more quickly establish communicationswith a preferred communication technology type, e.g. so that wirelessdevice 10 can achieve a desired quality of service or achieve anincreased throughput, etc., when a connection is desired.

Additionally, reselection expeditor component 14 is configured todetermine whether detected cell 32 of the second wireless communicationtechnology satisfies reselection criterion 26 for triggering the cellreselection based on expediting measurements for the group offrequencies 13 associated with detected cell 32. For instance, thewireless device 10 may receive a signal on one of the group offrequencies 13 associated with the detected cell 32 that has a receivedsignal code power (RSCP) and/or a ratio of received energy per chip to areceived overall energy (Ec/Io) at the current instant that meetsreselection criterion 26, such as a measured signal power threshold. Ifthe reselection expeditor component 14 determines that cell meets thereselection criteria (e.g., the signal from the cell exceeds the signalpower threshold), the reselection expeditor component 14 determines thatthe detected cell 32 is a cell reselection candidate.

Alternatively, or in addition, reselection criterion 26 may furtherinclude or be associated with additional conditions, such as reselectiontime period 28, which is an amount of time during which a measured Ec/Ioand/or RSCP level is to be maintained, and/or other conditions such asthe Ec/Io threshold and/or RSCP threshold including a hysteresisparameter that biases toward the current camped on cell to avoid a cellreselection ping-pong effect. In other words, determining that thedetected cell satisfies the first reselection criterion comprisesdetermining the first measurement meets a first threshold anddetermining to reselect when the at least one new measurement satisfiesthe second reselection criterion for the reselection time period furthercomprises determining the at least one new measurement meets a secondthreshold.

Additionally, reselection expeditor component 14 may be configured totrigger cell monitoring component 12 to increase a frequency ofmeasuring detected cell 32. For example, the cell monitoring component12 may increase a frequency of measuring detected cell 32 so that atleast one new measurement occurs prior to or after an expiration ofreselection time period 28, which may be an additional thresholdassociated with reselection criterion 26. Indeed, the reselectionexpeditor component 14 may be configured to identify a group offrequencies of the second wireless communication technology to besearched for the cell reselection, such as group of frequencies 13,corresponding to detected cell 32, e.g. where detected cell 32 isdetected on one of group of frequencies 13. Based on the associationbetween detected cell 32 and group of frequencies 13, reselectionexpeditor component 14 may be configured to trigger cell monitoringcomponent 12 to increase a frequency of measuring (e.g. reduce themeasurement interval) for each the group of frequencies 13.

In some aspects, based on presence of detected cell 32 and/or based ondetected cell 32 satisfying reselection criterion 26, reselectionexpeditor component 14 may be configured to trigger a switch from anormal measurement periodicity 36 to a fast measurement periodicity 38to reduce a measurement periodicity, e.g. to reduce the interval betweenmeasurements, of detected cell 32 and/or group of frequencies 13 of thesecond wireless communication technology. In other cases, measurementsaccording to fast measurement periodicity 38 may occur at least twice asfast as measurements according to normal measurement periodicity 36,although any reduced value of periodicity that results in reducedintervals between measurements may be utilized as fast measurementperiodicity 38. For example, the value of fast measurement periodicity38, e.g. the interval between measurements, may be configured to insurethat at least one new measurement of detected cell 32, or any otherdetected cells that are candidates for reselection, occurs prior to orafter an expiration of reselection time period 28 in order to enablewireless device 10 to reselect to a new cell as quickly as possiblewithin the specification or operator-defined guidelines.

As such, reselection expeditor component 14 may be configured tocondition the expediting of the determination of whether to perform cellreselection on detected cell 32 satisfying reselection criterion 26.Also, similar to the above-mentioned aspect, reselection expeditorcomponent 14 may increase a measurement rate for measuring thefrequencies of the group of frequencies 13 (e.g., in attempting todetect a cell of the second wireless communication technology).Reselection expeditor component 14 may increase this measurement rateby, for example, switching from a normal measurement periodicity 36 to afast measurement periodicity 38. It should be understood, however, thatin alternative implementations the increase in measurement rate may useother parameter values besides stored fast measurement periodicity 38.For example, in certain implementation the wireless device 10 may usedifferent fast periodicity when an undetected frequency 40 isidentified, as compared to when detected cell 32 is present and/or whendetected cell 32 satisfies reselection criterion 26.

Moreover, in one case according to this aspect that should not beconstrued as limiting, the increased frequency of measuring (e.g. fastmeasurement periodicity 38) may be a function of a number of detectedfrequencies 42, e.g. such as a count of the frequencies of the group offrequencies 13 on which a cell is detected, such as detected cell 32 ona first frequency. Correspondingly, normal measurement periodicity 36may be a function of the total number of frequencies in the group offrequencies 13. Alternatively, for example, in one case according tothis aspect that should not be construed as limiting, the increasedfrequency of measuring (e.g. reduced measurement interval) and/or fastmeasurement periodicity 38 may be a function of a ratio of a number ofundetected frequencies 40 to a number of frequencies in the group offrequencies 13.

Moreover, a combined aspect may include a combination of the twoabove-noted aspects, such that the increased frequency of measuring(e.g. reduced measurement interval) and/or fast measurement periodicity38 is more frequent than a normal frequency of measurement and/or normalmeasurement periodicity 36 based on a first factor corresponding toreselection criterion 26 being satisfied for at least one cell in atleast one frequency of the group of frequencies 13, and additionallybased on a second factor corresponding to a number of detectedfrequencies 42 in the group of frequencies 13 (or, e.g., a ratio of anumber of undetected frequencies 40 relative to a number of frequenciesin the group of frequencies 13).

As a result of the execution of reselection expeditor component 14, ameasurement procedure or algorithm of cell monitoring component 12 maybe modified to measure detected cell 32 or group of frequencies 13 ofthe second wireless communication technology according to a reducedmeasurement periodicity. Further, cell monitoring component 12 isconfigured to determine that the measurement of detected cell 32 (orsome other cell that is a candidate for reselection) of the secondwireless communication technology during the reduced measurementperiodicity satisfies reselection criterion 26. Accordingly, cellmonitoring component 12 is configured to generate a determination thatconditions for cell reselection are achieved, and in response initiate acell reselection to reselect from the first wireless communicationtechnology to detected cell 32 of the second wireless communicationtechnology after expiration of a reselection time period 28.

Consequently, reselection expeditor component 14 may be configured toreselect from the first wireless communication technology to thedetected cell 32 of the second wireless communication technology afterexpiration of a reselection time period 28 and thereby can be configuredto operate the wireless device 10 on the second wireless communicationtechnology. In other words, the call monitoring component 12 determinesto reselect to the detected cell of the second wireless communicationtechnology when at least one new measurement associated with theexpedited measurement satisfies a threshold, such as a received powerlevel threshold, which may also be referred to as a second reselectioncriterion even though it may be the same received power level thresholdassociated with the first measurement of detected cell 32.

In an alternative or additional aspect, cell monitoring component 12 maystore a plurality of frequencies in the group of frequencies 13. Cellmonitoring component 12 may then attempt to detect a signal on the firstfrequency of the group of frequencies 13. For explanatory purposes, thisfirst frequency will be referred to as F1. Then after a period of timehas expired, referred to herein as a search period, cell monitoringcomponent may then attempt to detect a signal on a second frequency fromthe group of frequencies 13. For explanatory purposes, this secondfrequency is referred to herein as F2. Cell monitoring component 12 thenwaits the search period and then attempts to detect a signal on the nextfrequency in the group of frequencies 13. This process then repeatsuntil the cell monitoring component 12 attempts to detect signals on allfrequencies in the group 13; after which, the cell monitoring component12 starts over at the F1 frequency and repeats the process. For ease ofexplanation, in the present description, it will be assumed that thegroup of frequencies 13 includes at least two frequencies (F1 and F2).

Thus, the cell monitoring component 12 alternates between attempting todetect signals on the F1 frequency and the F2 frequency over the searchperiod. If during any attempt to detect a signal is not detected, thecell monitoring component 12 identifies the frequency (e.g., F1 or F2)as an undetected frequency and stores information identifying that thefrequency was undetected (illustrated in FIG. 1 as undetected frequency40).

In addition to attempting to detect the presence of signals onfrequencies in the group of frequencies 13, cell monitoring component 12may also take measurements of these signals in the group of frequencies13. As discussed above, the rate at which the cell monitoring component12 attempts to detect the presence of signals on the frequencies isreferred to as the search rate or search periodicity. The rate at whichthe cell monitoring component 12 takes measurements of signals on thesefrequencies is referred to as the measurement rate of measurementperiodicity. The search rate may be different than the measurement rate.For example, in an embodiment, the measurement rate may be faster thanthe search rate. In one such example, during normal operations, themeasurement rate may be twice that of the search rate; and when the cellmonitoring component 12 determines to expedite the determination, themeasurement rate may be, for example, four times that of the searchrate, which may remain constant.

In the event cell monitoring component 12 determines that a particularfrequency is undetected, cell monitoring component 12 may provide thisinformation to reselection expeditor component 14 for use in determiningthe rate at which to take measurements on the frequencies of the group13 as well, as for example which frequencies to take measurements on.For example, in an embodiment, if during the search, a particularfrequency is determined to be an undetected frequency 40, cellmonitoring component 12 may determine not to take measurements on theundetected frequency 40. Additionally, in an example, cell monitoringcomponent 12 may identify a number of undetected frequencies 40, andreselection expeditor component 14 may dynamically adjusted the rate ofthe fast measurement periodicity when undetected frequencies 40 aredetected and the specific rate is proportional to the number of detectedundetected frequencies 40. In addition to cell monitoring component 12storing that a frequency is undetected 40, cell monitoring component 12may also store that a frequency is detected 42 during the search.

Thus, the present apparatus and methods includes a wireless device 10having a cell monitoring component 12 and reselection expeditorcomponent 14 that speed up a determination of whether a cell reselectionshould be performed, for example based on a grouping of frequenciescorresponding to detected cell that meets a reselection criterion and/orbased on a number of detected cells/frequencies (or a ratio ofundetected cells/frequencies to a number of the group of frequencies),thereby resulting in improved reselection performance for wirelessdevice 10.

It should be noted the components of wireless device 10 of FIG. 1 may beimplemented, for example, by hardware components specifically configuredto carry out the stated processes/algorithm, implemented by a processorconfigured to perform the stated processes/algorithm, stored within acomputer-readable medium for implementation by a processor, or somecombination thereof will be discussed in more detail with regards toFIGS. 12-13.

FIG. 2 provides a functional block diagram of additional and/or moredetailed aspects of wireless device 10 of FIG. 1. In an aspect, wirelessdevice 10 may further include an operating component 21 capable ofoperating wireless device 10 in first technology mode 30 on a firstwireless communication technology (e.g., WCDMA) or in second technologymode 34 on second wireless communication technology (e.g., LTE). Itshould be noted that, for ease of explanation, the first wirelesstechnology is described as WCDMA and the second wireless technology asLTE; however, it should be understood that in other implementations, thereselection may occur between other wireless communicationstechnologies, such as, HSPA, EV-DO, etc.

Cell monitoring component 12 is further illustrated as including adetecting component 23 capable of detecting a cell, such as detectedcell 32, of a second wireless communication technology (e.g. LTE). Forexample, detecting component 23 identifies when wireless device 10receives a signal that is associated with second wireless technology,such as based on monitoring of a frequency associated with a pilot orcarrier frequency of a cell of the second communication technology.

Cell monitoring component 12 may also include a determining component 25configured for determining the detected cell of the second wirelesscommunication technology satisfies a first reselection criterion, suchas reselection criteria 26, based on a first measurement. For example,determining component 25 may receive a measured characteristic (e.g.,received power level) of the signal of the detected cell 32 of thesecond wireless communication technology and compare it to reselectioncriteria 26, which may include a first threshold value (e.g., receivedpower threshold).

Additionally, cell monitoring component 12 may include an identifyingcomponent 33 capable of identifying a second frequency of the secondwireless communication technology as an undetected frequency 40 based onmonitoring the second frequency without detecting a second cell. Forinstance, the identifying component 33 may be capable of identifying agroup of frequencies of the second wireless communication technologywhere the group of frequencies includes a first frequency (F1) of thedetected first cell and a second frequency (F2) identified as theundetected frequency. Identifying a detected group of frequencies mayalso be performed by removing each undetected frequency from the groupof frequencies. For example, by removing all the undetected frequenciesin the group of frequencies F1 to Fn, identified by the identifyingcomponent 33.

Still further, the cell monitoring component 12 may include areselection expeditor component 14 to enable wireless device 10 tospeed-up the searching and measuring of frequencies for making a cellreselection determination. The reselection expeditor component 14 mayinclude an expediting component 27 capable of expediting a determinationof whether to perform cell reselection to the second wirelesscommunication technology based on the undetected frequency and thedetected cell of the second wireless communication technology satisfyingthe first reselection criterion and being associated with a preferredtechnology based on preference scheme 31. For example, the secondwireless communication technology may be preferred relative to the firstwireless communication technology based on a preference value of apreference scheme 31. For instance, for a variety of reasons, the secondwireless communication technology may be preferred relative to the firstwireless communication technology, such as when the second wirelesscommunication technology provides an improved quality of service orother improved or different characteristic(s) relative to the firstwireless communication technology. For example, in an exemplaryimplementation, the first wireless technology is WCDMA and the secondwireless technology is LTE, where LTE is preferred over WCDMA becauseLTE provides improved data capacity and/or data rates over WCDMA. Assuch, the expediting component 27 operates to increase a frequency ofmeasuring the detected cell or the group of frequencies 13 associatedwith the detected cell 13.

The reselection expeditor component 14 may also include a reselectingcomponent 29 capable of determining to reselect to the detected cell ofthe second wireless communication technology when that the at least onenew measurement satisfies a second reselection criterion. For example,reselecting component 29 may communicate with determining component 25,which receives at least one new measurement of the signal of thedetected cell 32 based on the increased measurement frequency anddetermines the new measurement meets reselection criteria 26. In thiscase, for example, reselection criteria 26 may be a second threshold(e.g., a received power level threshold, which may have a same value asthe first received power level threshold) corresponding to reselectiontime period 26. In other words, when determining component 25 identifiesthat detected cell 32 satisfies reselection criteria 26, thenreselecting component 29 may execute reselection procedures to causewireless device 10 to reselect to detected cell 32.

Thus, as shown, wireless device 10 may include operating component 21,detecting component 23, determining component 25, identifying component33, expediting component 27, and reselecting component 29 configured,for example, to carry out method(s) associated with those components,such as those discussed herein. Additional explanation of the operationof these various components will be provided below.

It should be noted that the components (also referred to herein asmodules and/or means) of FIG. 2 may be, for example, hardware componentsspecifically configured to carry out the stated processes/algorithm,software components implemented by a processor configured to perform thestated processes/algorithm, and/or software components stored within acomputer-readable medium for implementation by a processor, or somecombination.

Referring to FIG. 3, in one aspect, wireless device 10 (FIG. 1 and FIG.2) may additionally include a processor 72 for carrying out processingfunctions associated with one or more of components and functionsdescribed herein. Processor 72 can include a single or multiple set ofprocessors or multi-core processors. Moreover, processor 72 can beimplemented as an integrated processing system and/or a distributedprocessing system. Additionally, processor 72 may be configured orspecially-programmed with hardware, software, and/or firmware to performone or more of the functions described herein with respect to cellmonitoring component 12.

Wireless device 10 further includes a memory 74, such as for storingdata used herein and/or local versions of applications orcomputer-readable instructions being executed by processor 72, e.g. toperform one or more of the functions described herein with respect tocell monitoring component 12. Memory 74 can include any type of memoryusable by a computer, such as random access memory (RAM), read onlymemory (ROM), tapes, magnetic discs, optical discs, volatile memory,non-volatile memory, and any combination thereof.

Further, wireless device 10 includes a communications component 76 thatprovides for establishing and maintaining communications with one ormore parties utilizing hardware, software, and services as describedherein. Communications component 76 may carry communications betweencomponents on wireless device 10, as well as between wireless device 10and external devices, such as devices located across a wired or wirelesscommunications network and/or devices serially or locally connected towireless device 10. For example, communications component 76 may includeone or more buses, and may further include transmit chain components andreceive chain components associated with a transmitter and receiver,respectively, or a transceiver, operable for interfacing with externaldevices. In an additional aspect, communications component 76 mayinclude transmitters and receivers, or transceivers, and correspondingtransmit and receive chain components, for more communication with morethan one technology type network. Further, communications component 76may be specially configured to perform one or more functions describedherein with respect to cell monitoring component 12.

Additionally, wireless device 10 may further include a data store 78,which can be any suitable combination of hardware and/or software, thatprovides for mass storage of information, databases, and programsemployed in connection with aspects described herein. For example, datastore 78 may be a data repository for applications not currently beingexecuted by processor 72, such as applications associated with cellmonitoring component 12.

Wireless device 10 may additionally include a user interface component80 operable to receive inputs from a user of wireless device 10, andfurther operable to generate outputs for presentation to the user. Userinterface component 80 may include one or more input devices, includingbut not limited to a keyboard, a number pad, a mouse, a touch-sensitivedisplay, a navigation key, a function key, a microphone, a voicerecognition component, any other mechanism capable of receiving an inputfrom a user, or any combination thereof. Further, user interfacecomponent 80 may include one or more output devices, including but notlimited to a display, a speaker, a haptic feedback mechanism, a printer,any other mechanism capable of presenting an output to a user, or anycombination thereof.

In the present aspects, wireless device 10 may further include cellmonitoring component 12, for example, as a separate component or withinor as part of processor 72, memory 74, communications component 76, ordata store 78, or some combination thereof. For example, cell monitoringcomponent 12 may include specially programmed computer readableinstructions or code, firmware, hardware, or some combination thereof,for performing the functions described herein.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary timeline 50 for a specific use case ofan exemplary method according to one aspect where fast measurementscheduling of a group of frequencies is based on a detected cellsatisfying a reselection criterion. In the use case of timeline 50, aDRX cycle 52 has a length of 2.56 seconds, a number of frequencies to besearched for cell reselection, K_carrier, is two frequencies, F1 and F2(i.e., K_carrier=2), where a search periodicity 54, e.g. a normalpriority detection search periodicity, for each frequency has aninterval of 5.12 seconds between frequencies and a measurementperiodicity 56 has an interval that varies between a normal measurementperiodicity 58 for each frequency and a fast measurement periodicity 60for the group 62 of frequencies F1 and F2.

For example, at DRX 0, both F1 and F2 are detected but neither satisfiesa reselection criteria, such as reselection criteria 26 (FIG. 2), andthus measurement periodicity 56 is normal measurement periodicity 58.However, at DRX 6, F1 is determined to satisfy the reselection criteria,as indicated by the bold line of the F1 box, and thereby triggering aswitch to fast measurement periodicity 60 for the group 62 offrequencies F1 and F2 until reselection occurs (not represented in FIG.4) or neither F1 nor F2 satisfies the reselection criteria.

Though F1 is determined not to satisfy the reselection criteria at DRX8,F2 at DRX 9 is determined to satisfy the reselection criteria, andthereby a continuation of the fast measurement periodicity 60 for thegroup 62 of frequencies F1 and F2 occurs at DRX 10 and DRX 11.

During the frequency measurements of DRX 10 and 11, it is determinedthat neither F1 nor F2 satisfies the reselection criteria and thereforethe continuation of the fast measurement periodicity 60 for the group 62of frequencies F1 and F2 expires. In other words, after the measurementsat DRX 10 and DRX 11, where neither F1 nor F2 satisfies the reselectioncriteria, the present aspects trigger a switch back to normalmeasurement periodicity 58 for each of frequencies F1 and F2.

Referring to FIG. 5, another example of a timeline 64 for a specific usecase represents operation of the present apparatus and methods accordingto one aspect where fast measurement scheduling of one or morefrequencies is based on an undetected frequency, or conversely as afactor of a number of detected cells. In the use case of timeline 64,DRX cycle 52 has a length of 2.56 seconds, a number of frequencies to besearched for cell reselection, K_carrier, is two frequencies, F1 and F2,where search periodicity 54, e.g. a normal priority detection searchperiodicity, for each frequency has an interval of 5.12 seconds betweenfrequencies and measurement periodicity 56 has an interval that variesbetween normal measurement periodicity 58 for each frequency and a fastmeasurement periodicity 66 for the detected frequency F1 that includesskipping measurements of undetected frequency F2 going forward until F2is detected in a search period, as represented by 68 at DRX 6, resultingfrom failure to detect any cells during monitoring of F2 during the DRX6 instance of search periodicity 54.

At DRX 8, F1 is determined to satisfy the reselection criteria, asindicated by the bold line of the F1 box, and thereby triggering aswitch to fast measurement periodicity for the group 66 of frequenciesF1 and F2. However, since F2 was not detected during the prior searchperiod (at DRX 6), the call monitoring component 12 skips the fast F2measurement periodicity at DRX 9.

Since F1 at DRX 10 is determined to not satisfy the reselectioncriteria, the reselection expeditor component 14 switches back to anormal measurement periodicity. Again, since F2 was not detected duringthe prior search period, the call monitoring component 12 skips the fastF2 measurement periodicity at DRX 12 until F2 is detected in a searchperiod.

Referring to FIG. 6, a further example of a timeline 70 for a specificuse case represents operation of the present apparatus and methodsaccording to a combined aspect where fast measurement scheduling of agroup of frequencies is based on a first factor corresponding to adetected cell satisfying a reselection criterion and a second factorcorresponding to an undetected frequency, or a number of detected cells.In the use case of timeline 70, DRX cycle 52 has a length of 2.56seconds, a number of frequencies to be searched for cell reselection,K_carrier, is two frequencies, F1 and F2, where search periodicity 54,e.g. a normal priority detection search periodicity, for each frequencyhas an interval of 5.12 seconds between frequencies and measurementperiodicity 56 has an interval that varies between normal measurementperiodicity 58 for each frequency and a fast measurement periodicity 71for the group 73 of detected frequencies, only F1 in this case as F2 isan undetected frequency 68 as represented at DRX 6.

At DRX 8, F1 is determined to satisfy the reselection criteria, asindicated by the bold line of the F1 box, and thereby triggering aswitch to fast measurement periodicity for the group 66 of frequenciesF1 and F2. However, since only F2 was not detected during the priorsearch period (at DRX 6), the call monitoring component 12 searches forF1 at DRX 9.

Since F1 at DRX 9 at DRX 10 is determined not satisfy the reselectioncriteria, the reselection expeditor component 14 switches back to anormal measurement periodicity. Again, since F2 was not detected duringthe prior search period, the call monitoring component 12 skips the fastF2 measurement periodicity at DRX 13 until F2 is detected in a searchperiod.

Referring to FIG. 7, in operation, an example method 82 for monitoringwireless signals is provided. While, for purposes of simplicity ofexplanation, the methodologies are shown and described as a series ofacts, it is to be understood and appreciated that the methodologies arenot limited by the order of acts, as some acts may, in accordance withone or more embodiments, occur in different orders and/or concurrentlywith other acts from that shown and described herein. For example, it isto be appreciated that a methodology could alternatively be representedas a series of interrelated states or events, such as in a statediagram. Moreover, not all illustrated acts may be required to implementa methodology in accordance with one or more embodiments. Further, forillustrative purposes, FIG. 7 will be discussed with reference to FIG.1.

In one aspect, at block 84, method 82 includes operating a wirelessdevice on a first wireless communication technology. For example,wireless device 10 may execute processor 72 to operate operatingcomponent 21 according to first technology mode 30.

Further, at block 86, method 82 includes detecting a cell of a secondwireless communication technology. wherein the second wirelesscommunication technology is preferred relative to the first wirelesscommunication technology. For example, cell monitoring component 12 mayexecute detecting component 23 to monitor one or more frequencies, e.g.one or more of group of frequencies 13, and detect a cell, e.g. detectedcell 32, on a monitored frequency (FIG. 1).

Additionally, at block 88, method 82 includes determining the detectedcell of the second wireless communication technology satisfies a firstreselection criterion based on a first measurement. For example, cellmonitoring component 12 may execute determining component 25 todetermine that detected cell 32, or another reselection candidate celldetected on group of frequencies 13, satisfies reselection criterion 26for cell reselection (FIG. 1).

At block 89, method 82 includes expediting a determination of whether toperform cell reselection to the second wireless communication technologybased on the undetected frequency and the detected cell of the secondwireless communication technology satisfying the first reselectioncriterion, wherein the expediting the determination of whether toperform cell reselection comprises increasing a frequency of measuringthe detected cell. For example, cell monitoring component 12 may executereselection expeditor component 14 to speed up the frequency ofsubsequent measurements for detected cell 32 or group of frequencies 13based on detected cell 32 satisfying reselection criterion 26 (FIG. 1),such as discussed with reference to FIGS. 3-6.

At block 90, method 82 includes determining to reselect to the detectedcell of the second wireless communication technology when that the atleast one new measurement satisfies a second reselection criterion. Forexample, cell monitoring component 12 may execute reselecting component29 to reselect reselected the detected cell 32 of the second technologymode 34 based on the detected cell 32 satisfying reselection criterion26 (FIG. 1).

FIG. 8 illustrates optional blocks 92-94 that describe in more detailthe actions of blocks 89 and 90 of FIG. 7. These optional actions arereferred to as method 83. As shown, optionally, at block 92, method 83includes measuring the detected cell of the second wirelesscommunication technology according to the reduced measurementperiodicity. For example, cell monitoring component 12 may performmonitoring and measuring of detected cell 32 and/or group of frequencies13 based on fast measurement periodicity 38 (FIG. 1).

Optionally, at block 93, method 83 may further include determining thatthe measurement of the detected cell of the second wirelesscommunication technology during the reduced measurement periodicitysatisfies the reselection criterion. For example, cell monitoringcomponent 12 may determine that detected cell 32, or another reselectioncandidate cell detected on group of frequencies 13, satisfiesreselection criterion 26 based on one or more measurements madeaccording to fast measurement periodicity 38 (FIG. 1).

Optionally, at block 94, method 83 may further include reselecting fromthe first wireless communication technology to the detected cell of thesecond wireless communication technology after expiration of areselection time period. For example, cell monitoring component 12 maydetermine to reselect to detected cell 32, or another reselectioncandidate cell detected on group of frequencies 13, once reselectioncriterion 26 is satisfied based on one or more measurements madeaccording to fast measurement periodicity 38 (FIG. 1). Thus, forexample, wireless device 10 may switch to operate in second technologymode 32.

A number of example use cases implementing the principles of the presentapparatus and methods are described below. These use cases may becarried out, for example, by wireless device 10 executing cellmonitoring component 12 of FIG. 1, and/or any components thereof such asreselection expediting component 14.

For, example, in an aspect, the reselection to LTE requires UE to firstsearch and measure LTE cells. From 3GPP specification 25.133, Section4.2.3.5, the E-UTRA layers need to be searched based on the followingrules:

For high Priority Mode: (SrxlevServingCell>Sprioritysearch1 andSqualServingCell>Sprioritysearch2)

-   -   Search higher priority E-UTRA layers    -   Search at least every Thigherpriority_search=60*Nlayer where        Nlayers is the total number of configured higher priority layers

For all Priority Mode: (SrxlevServingCell<=Sprioritysearch1 orSqualServingCell<=Sprioritysearch2)

-   -   Search higher and lower priority E-UTRA layers    -   Detect and evaluate detectable cells within        Kcarrier*TdetectE-UTRA, where TdetectEUTRA is given in Table 1:

TABLE 1 T_(detect), T_(measure) and T_(evaluate) for E-UTRA CellsT_(measureE-UTRA) [s] T_(evaluateEUTRA) [s] DRX cycle (number of (numberof DRX length [s] T_(detectE-UTRA) [s] DRX cycles) cycles) 0.08 30 2.56(32) 7.68 (96) 0.16 2.56 (16) 7.68 (43) 0.32 5.12 (16) 15.36 (48)  0.645.12 (8)  15.36 (24)  1.28 6.4 (5) 19.2 (15) 2.56 60 7.68 (3)  23.04(9)  5.12 10.24 (2)  30.72 (6) 

From 3GPP specification 25.133, Section 4.2.3.5, the E-UTRA layers needto be measured based on the following rules:

High Priority Mode: (SrxlevServingCell>Sprioritysearch1 andSqualServingCell>Sprioritysearch2)

-   -   All layers measured at least every TmeasureE-UTRA, where        TmeasureE-UTRA is given in Table 1.

All Priority Mode: (SrxlevServingCell<=Sprioritysearch1 orSqualServingCell<=Sprioritysearch2)

-   -   Measured at least every Kcarrier*Tmeasure,EUTRA, where Kcarrier        is the number of EUTRAN carriers.

When the specification-required measurement rules are applied and whenTreselection is not equal to zero (typically set to 1 or 2 seconds byoperator), the UE can be very slow reselecting to E-UTRAN cells.Specifically, in all priority mode, the UE needs to ensure that themeasurement of the new E-UTRAN cell is better ranked than the servingcell at least during the time interval Treselection (or Tresel).

In high priority mode, the UE needs to ensure that the measured powerlevel of the new EUTRAN cell is greater than Threshx,high (if theE-UTRAN frequency is higher priority than the serving frequency) orThreshx,low (if lower priority) during the time interval Tres election.

For example, if DRX=2.56 and Tresel=2 seconds, in high priority mode,from Table 1, the UE needs 7.68 seconds to take two consecutivemeasurements. If both measurements are above the thresholds, the UE canstart the reselection process. The delay of 7.68 seconds prior toreselection is much higher than the 2 seconds Tresel requirement and maybe optimized to speed up reselection, such as to reselect from WCDMA toLTE.

According, as described with respect to the present apparatus andmethods, the measurements of all Kcarrier frequencies may be consideredas a group for both high priority and all priority modes. During eachcell measurement group, the UE decides whether the reselection criteriahave been satisfied for any cell in all frequencies. If so, then the UEwill use the fast measurement periodicity to schedule the nextmeasurement group for all layers. As can be seen in Table 2 and Table 3,in one non-limiting example for this use case, the fast measurementperiodicity is at least two times faster than the normal measurementperiodicity. If the reselection criteria have not been met for any cell,then the UE will use the normal measurement periodicity.

TABLE 2 Cell Measurement Periodicity for W2L Idle (High Priority Mode)Fast Measurement DRX Cycle Normal Measurement Normal MeasurementPeriodicity (DRX Fast Measurement Spec Req Length (sec) Periodicity (DRXcycles) Periodicity (sec) cycles) Periodicity (sec) (sec) 0.08 32 2.5616 1.28 2.56 0.16 16 2.56 8 1.28 2.56 0.32 16 5.12 8 2.56 5.12 0.64 85.12 4 2.56 5.12 1.28 5 6.4 2 2.56 6.4 2.56 3 7.68 1 2.56 7.68 5.12 210.24 1 5.12 10.24

TABLE 3 Cell Measurement Periodicity for W2L Idle (All Priority Mode)DRX Cycle Normal Measurement Normal Fast Measurement Length Periodicity(DRX Measurement Periodicity (DRX Fast Measurement (sec) cycles)Periodicity (sec) cycles) Periodicity (sec) Spec Req (sec) 0.08 32 *K_(carrier)  2.56 * K_(carrier) 16 * K_(carrier ) 1.28 * K_(carrier)2.56 * K_(carrier) 0.16 16 * K_(carrier)  2.56 * K_(carrier) 8 *K_(carrier) 1.28 * K_(carrier) 2.56 * K_(carrier) 0.32 16 * K_(carrie) r5.12 * K_(carrier) 8 * K_(carrier) 2.56 * K_(carrier) 5.12 * K_(carrier)0.64 8 * K_(carrier) 5.12 * K_(carrier) 4 * K_(carrier) 2.56 *K_(carrier) 5.12 * K_(carrier) 1.28 4 * K_(carrier) 5.12 * K_(carrier)2 * K_(carrier) 2.56 * K_(carrier)  6.4 * K_(carrier) 2.56 2 *K_(carrier) 5.12 * K_(carrier) 1 * K_(carrier) 2.56 * K_(carrier) 7.68 *K_(carrier) 5.12 1 * K_(carrier) 5.12 * K_(carrier) 1 * K_(carrier)5.12 * K_(carrier) 10.24 * K_(carrier) 

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, timelines 96 and 98, respectively, useexamples to illustrate the fast measurement scheduling design. Asdiscussed, the fast measurement periodicity may be used when thereselection criteria is met for at least one cell. In FIGS. 8 and 9, thebold line of the F1/F2 box is used to illustrate that the reselectioncriteria condition is met for a given frequency. If one frequencysatisfies the reselection criteria over more than Treselection duration,then UE will reselect to that cell. Additionally, timeline 96 of FIG. 9and timeline 98 of FIG. 10 includes DRX cycle 52, search periodicity 54,and measurement periodicity 56 described in FIGS. 4-6.

Further, for example, timeline 96 of FIG. 9 represents a high prioritymode with normal and fast measurement periodicity searches, where thefrequency of F1 at DRX 0 satisfies the reselection criteria and wherethe frequency of F2 at DRX 1 satisfies the reselection criteria.

Also, in FIG. 10, timeline 98 represents an example of an all prioritymode measurement scheduling with normal and fast measurementperiodicity. As discussed, the fast measurement periodicity is used whenthe reselection criteria is met. If one frequency satisfies thereselection criteria over more than Treselection duration, then UE willreselect to that cell.

In an alternative or addition aspect, it is possible in practice thatsome E-UTRAN frequencies are provisioned in the measurement controlsystem information, but the UE does not detect any suitable cells inthese frequencies. If the UE follows the specification requirement, thenthe measurements and reselection performed by the UE are greatlydelayed.

For example, say DRX=2.56 seconds and Tresel=2 seconds, and four E-UTRANfrequencies (f1, f2, f3, f4) are provisioned by the network, but the UEonly detects E-UTRAN cells on frequency f1. In all priority mode, sincethe measurement of all frequencies are run in round-robin, the UE needsto wait 5.12*4=20.48 seconds (with normal measurement periodicity) or2.56*4=10.24 seconds (with fast measurement scheduling periodicity)before it can re-measure the detected cells in f1. This is very slowcompared with the 2 second Tresel requirement.

According to the described apparatus and methods, in one non-limitingaspect for the all priority mode, the present aspects may replace theK_(carrier) by K_(detected) in the fast measurement periodicity columns,where the K_(detected) indicates the number of E-UTRAN frequencies thatthe UE successfully detected cells. In this case, the present aspect maynot replace K_(carrier) by K_(detected) in normal measurementperiodicity columns, because speeding up the measurement without areselection candidate can be a waste of value battery power. Thefollowing table provides a proposed measurement periodicity.

TABLE 4 Proposed Cell Measurement Periodicity for W2L Idle (All PriorityMode) DRX Normal Normal Fast Cycle Measurement Measurement MeasurementFast Length Periodicity Periodicity Periodicity Measurement Spec Req(sec) (DRX cycles) (sec) (DRX cycles) Periodicity (sec) (sec) 0.08 32 *K_(carrier)  2.56 * K_(carrier) 16 * K_(detected)  1.28 * K_(detected)2.56 * K_(carrier) 0.16 16 * K_(carrier)  2.56 * K_(carrier) 8 *K_(detected) 1.28 * K_(detected) 2.56 * K_(carrier) 0.32 16 *K_(carrier)  5.12 * K_(carrier) 8 * K_(detected) 2.56 * K_(detected)5.12 * K_(carrier) 0.64 8 * K_(carrier) 5.12 * K_(carrier) 4 *K_(detected) 2.56 * K_(detected) 5.12 * K_(carrier) 1.28 4 * K_(carrier)5.12 * K_(carrier) 2 * K_(detected) 2.56 * K_(detected)  6.4 *K_(carrier) 2.56 2 * K_(carrier) 5.12 * K_(carrier) 1 * K_(detected)2.56 * K_(detected) 7.68 * K_(carrier) 5.12 1 * K_(carrier) 5.12 *K_(carrier) 1 * K_(detected) 5.12 * K_(detected) 10.24 * K_(carrier) 

Additionally, according to the present aspects, in a high priority mode,since the measurement scheduling is independent of K_(carrier), there isno need to make the changes, as disclosed in Table 5.

TABLE 5 Cell Measurement Periodicity for W2L Idle (High Priority Mode)Normal Measure- Normal DRX ment Measure- Fast Fast Cycle Periodicityment Measurement Measurement Spec Length (DRX Periodicity PeriodicityPeriodicity Req (sec) cycles) (sec) (DRX cycles) (sec) (sec) 0.08 322.56 16 1.28 2.56 0.16 16 2.56 8 1.28 2.56 0.32 16 5.12 8 2.56 5.12 0.648 5.12 4 2.56 5.12 1.28 5 6.4 2 2.56 6.4 2.56 3 7.68 1 2.56 7.68 5.12 210.24 1 5.12 10.24

In both cases, in an aspect, the present apparatus and methods may notissue a measurement scheduling command for undetected frequencies. Ifthe command is issued, then the modem (RF and baseband), e.g. part ofcommunication component 76 (FIG. 5) has to stay awake for more time,thereby unnecessarily consuming battery power.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardwareimplementation for an apparatus 100 employing a processing system 114.Apparatus 100 may be configured to include, for example, wireless device10 (FIG. 1 or FIG. 2) and/or cell monitoring component 12 (FIG. 1) asdescribed above. In this example, the processing system 114 may beimplemented with a bus architecture, represented generally by the bus102. The bus 102 may include any number of interconnecting buses andbridges depending on the specific application of the processing system114 and the overall design constraints. The bus 102 links togethervarious circuits including one or more processors, represented generallyby the processor 104, and computer-readable media, represented generallyby the computer-readable medium 106. The bus 102 may also link variousother circuits such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators,and power management circuits, which are well known in the art, andtherefore, will not be described any further. A bus interface 108provides an interface between the bus 102 and a transceiver 110. Thetransceiver 110 provides a means for communicating with various otherapparatus over a transmission medium. Depending upon the nature of theapparatus, a user interface 112 (e.g., keypad, display, speaker,microphone, joystick) may also be provided.

The processor 104, as will be described further below, is responsiblefor managing the bus 102 and general processing, including the executionof software stored on the computer-readable medium 106. The software,when executed by the processor 104, causes the processing system 114 toperform the various functions described infra for any particularapparatus. The computer-readable medium 106, as will be describedfurther below, may comprise volatile and/or non-volatile storage and mayalso be used for storing data that is manipulated by the processor 104when executing software. Note, each and everyelement/component/module/means of FIGS. 1-2 and 6 may be implemented byprocessor 104 and computer-readable medium 106, which causes theprocessing system 114 to perform the variousfunctions/processes/algorithms described in FIGS. 1-11.

The various concepts presented throughout this disclosure may beimplemented across a broad variety of telecommunication systems, networkarchitectures, and communication standards.

Referring to FIG. 12, by way of example and without limitation, theaspects of the present disclosure are presented with reference to a UMTSsystem 200 employing a W-CDMA air interface. A UMTS network includesthree interacting domains: a Core Network (CN) 204, a UMTS TerrestrialRadio Access Network (UTRAN) 202, and User Equipment (UE) 210. UE 210may be configured to include, for example, wireless device 10 (FIGS.1-2, and 6) and/or cell monitoring component 12 (FIGS. 1 and 6) asdescribed above. In this example, the UTRAN 202 provides variouswireless services including telephony, video, data, messaging,broadcasts, and/or other services. The UTRAN 202 may include a pluralityof Radio Network Subsystems (RNSs) such as an RNS 207, each controlledby a respective Radio Network Controller (RNC) such as an RNC 206. Here,the UTRAN 202 may include any number of RNCs 206 and RNSs 207 inaddition to the RNCs 206 and RNSs 207 illustrated herein. The RNC 206 isan apparatus responsible for, among other things, assigning,reconfiguring and releasing radio resources within the RNS 207. The RNC206 may be interconnected to other RNCs (not shown) in the UTRAN 202through various types of interfaces such as a direct physicalconnection, a virtual network, or the like, using any suitable transportnetwork.

Communication between a UE 210 and a Node B 208 may be considered asincluding a physical (PHY) layer and a medium access control (MAC)layer. Further, communication between a UE 210 and an RNC 206 by way ofa respective Node B 208 may be considered as including a radio resourcecontrol (RRC) layer. In the instant specification, the PHY layer may beconsidered layer 1; the MAC layer may be considered layer 2; and the RRClayer may be considered layer 3. Information hereinbelow utilizesterminology introduced in the RRC Protocol Specification, 3GPP TS25.331, incorporated herein by reference.

The geographic region covered by the RNS 207 may be divided into anumber of cells, with a radio transceiver apparatus serving each cell. Aradio transceiver apparatus is commonly referred to as a Node B in UMTSapplications, but may also be referred to by those skilled in the art asa base station (BS), a base transceiver station (BTS), a radio basestation, a radio transceiver, a transceiver function, a basic serviceset (BSS), an extended service set (ESS), an access point (AP), or someother suitable terminology. For clarity, three Node Bs 208 are shown ineach RNS 207; however, the RNSs 207 may include any number of wirelessNode Bs. The Node Bs 208 provide wireless access points to a CN 204 forany number of mobile apparatuses. Examples of a mobile apparatus includea cellular phone, a smart phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP)phone, a laptop, a notebook, a netbook, a smartbook, a personal digitalassistant (PDA), a satellite radio, a global positioning system (GPS)device, a multimedia device, a video device, a digital audio player(e.g., MP3 player), a camera, a game console, or any other similarfunctioning device. The UE 210 may also be referred to by those skilledin the art as a mobile station, a subscriber station, a mobile unit, asubscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, awireless device, a wireless communications device, a remote device, amobile subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, awireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a terminal, a useragent, a mobile client, a client, or some other suitable terminology. Ina UMTS system, the UE 210 may further include a universal subscriberidentity module (USIM) 211, which contains a user's subscriptioninformation to a network. For illustrative purposes, one UE 210 is shownin communication with a number of the Node Bs 208. The DL, also calledthe forward link, refers to the communication link from a Node B 208 toa UE 210, and the UL, also called the reverse link, refers to thecommunication link from a UE 210 to a Node B 208.

The CN 204 interfaces with one or more access networks, such as theUTRAN 202. As shown, the CN 204 is a GSM core network. However, as thoseskilled in the art will recognize, the various concepts presentedthroughout this disclosure may be implemented in a RAN, or othersuitable access network, to provide UEs with access to types of CNsother than GSM networks.

The CN 204 includes a circuit-switched (CS) domain and a packet-switched(PS) domain. Some of the circuit-switched elements are a Mobile servicesSwitching Centre (MSC), a Visitor location register (VLR) and a GatewayMSC. Packet-switched elements include a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN)and a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN). Some network elements, like EIR,HLR, VLR and AuC may be shared by both of the circuit-switched andpacket-switched domains. In the illustrated example, the CN 204 supportscircuit-switched services with a MSC 212 and a GMSC 214. In someapplications, the GMSC 214 may be referred to as a media gateway (MGW).One or more RNCs, such as the RNC 206, may be connected to the MSC 212.The MSC 212 is an apparatus that controls call setup, call routing, andUE mobility functions. The MSC 212 also includes a VLR that containssubscriber-related information for the duration that a UE is in thecoverage area of the MSC 212. The GMSC 214 provides a gateway throughthe MSC 212 for the UE to access a circuit-switched network 216. TheGMSC 214 includes a home location register (HLR) 215 containingsubscriber data, such as the data reflecting the details of the servicesto which a particular user has subscribed. The HLR is also associatedwith an authentication center (AuC) that contains subscriber-specificauthentication data. When a call is received for a particular UE, theGMSC 214 queries the HLR 215 to determine the UE's location and forwardsthe call to the particular MSC serving that location.

The CN 204 also supports packet-data services with a serving GPRSsupport node (SGSN) 218 and a gateway GPRS support node (GGSN) 220.GPRS, which stands for General Packet Radio Service, is designed toprovide packet-data services at speeds higher than those available withstandard circuit-switched data services. The GGSN 220 provides aconnection for the UTRAN 202 to a packet-based network 222. Thepacket-based network 222 may be the Internet, a private data network, orsome other suitable packet-based network. The primary function of theGGSN 220 is to provide the UEs 210 with packet-based networkconnectivity. Data packets may be transferred between the GGSN 220 andthe UEs 210 through the SGSN 218, which performs primarily the samefunctions in the packet-based domain as the MSC 212 performs in thecircuit-switched domain.

An air interface for UMTS may utilize a spread spectrum Direct-SequenceCode Division Multiple Access (DS-CDMA) system. The spread spectrumDS-CDMA spreads user data through multiplication by a sequence ofpseudorandom bits called chips. The “wideband” W-CDMA air interface forUMTS is based on such direct sequence spread spectrum technology andadditionally calls for a frequency division duplexing (FDD). FDD uses adifferent carrier frequency for the UL and DL between a Node B 208 and aUE 210. Another air interface for UMTS that utilizes DS-CDMA, and usestime division duplexing (TDD), is the TD-SCDMA air interface. Thoseskilled in the art will recognize that although various examplesdescribed herein may refer to a W-CDMA air interface, the underlyingprinciples may be equally applicable to a TD-SCDMA air interface.

An HSPA air interface includes a series of enhancements to the 3G/W-CDMAair interface, facilitating greater throughput and reduced latency.Among other modifications over prior releases, HSPA utilizes hybridautomatic repeat request (HARQ), shared channel transmission, andadaptive modulation and coding. The standards that define HSPA includeHSDPA (high speed downlink packet access) and HSUPA (high speed uplinkpacket access, also referred to as enhanced uplink, or EUL).

HSDPA utilizes as its transport channel the high-speed downlink sharedchannel (HS-DSCH). The HS-DSCH is implemented by three physicalchannels: the high-speed physical downlink shared channel (HS-PDSCH),the high-speed shared control channel (HS-SCCH), and the high-speeddedicated physical control channel (HS-DPCCH).

Among these physical channels, the HS-DPCCH carries the HARQ ACK/NACKsignaling on the uplink to indicate whether a corresponding packettransmission was decoded successfully. That is, with respect to thedownlink, the UE 210 provides feedback to the node B 208 over theHS-DPCCH to indicate whether it correctly decoded a packet on thedownlink.

HS-DPCCH further includes feedback signaling from the UE 210 to assistthe node B 208 in taking the right decision in terms of modulation andcoding scheme and precoding weight selection, this feedback signalingincluding the CQI and PCI.

“HSPA Evolved” or HSPA+ is an evolution of the HSPA standard thatincludes MIMO and 64-QAM, enabling increased throughput and higherperformance. That is, in an aspect of the disclosure, the node B 208and/or the UE 210 may have multiple antennas supporting MIMO technology.The use of MIMO technology enables the node B 208 to exploit the spatialdomain to support spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and transmitdiversity.

Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) is a term generally used to referto multi-antenna technology, that is, multiple transmit antennas(multiple inputs to the channel) and multiple receive antennas (multipleoutputs from the channel). MIMO systems generally enhance datatransmission performance, enabling diversity gains to reduce multipathfading and increase transmission quality, and spatial multiplexing gainsto increase data throughput.

Spatial multiplexing may be used to transmit different streams of datasimultaneously on the same frequency. The data steams may be transmittedto a single UE 210 to increase the data rate, or to multiple UEs 210 toincrease the overall system capacity. This is achieved by spatiallyprecoding each data stream and then transmitting each spatially precodedstream through a different transmit antenna on the downlink. Thespatially precoded data streams arrive at the UE(s) 210 with differentspatial signatures, which enables each of the UE(s) 210 to recover theone or more the data streams destined for that UE 210. On the uplink,each UE 210 may transmit one or more spatially precoded data streams,which enables the node B 208 to identify the source of each spatiallyprecoded data stream.

Spatial multiplexing may be used when channel conditions are good. Whenchannel conditions are less favorable, beamforming may be used to focusthe transmission energy in one or more directions, or to improvetransmission based on characteristics of the channel. This may beachieved by spatially precoding a data stream for transmission throughmultiple antennas. To achieve good coverage at the edges of the cell, asingle stream beamforming transmission may be used in combination withtransmit diversity.

Generally, for MIMO systems utilizing n transmit antennas, n transportblocks may be transmitted simultaneously over the same carrier utilizingthe same channelization code. Note that the different transport blockssent over the n transmit antennas may have the same or differentmodulation and coding schemes from one another.

On the other hand, Single Input Multiple Output (SIMO) generally refersto a system utilizing a single transmit antenna (a single input to thechannel) and multiple receive antennas (multiple outputs from thechannel). Thus, in a SIMO system, a single transport block is sent overthe respective carrier.

Referring to FIG. 13, an access network 300 in a UTRAN architecture isillustrated. The multiple access wireless communication system includesmultiple cellular regions (cells), including cells 302, 304, and 306,each of which may include one or more sectors. The multiple sectors canbe formed by groups of antennas with each antenna responsible forcommunication with UEs in a portion of the cell. For example, in cell302, antenna groups 312, 314, and 316 may each correspond to a differentsector. In cell 304, antenna groups 318, 320, and 322 each correspond toa different sector. In cell 306, antenna groups 324, 326, and 328 eachcorrespond to a different sector. The cells 302, 304 and 306 may includeseveral wireless communication devices, e.g., User Equipment or UEs,which may be in communication with one or more sectors of each cell 302,304 or 306. For example, UEs 330 and 332 may be in communication withNode B 342, UEs 334 and 336 may be in communication with Node B 344, andUEs 338 and 340 can be in communication with Node B 346. Here, each NodeB 342, 344, 346 is configured to provide an access point to a CN 204(see earlier figure) for all the UEs 330, 332, 334, 336, 338, 340 in therespective cells 302, 304, and 306. UEs 330, 332, 334, 336, 338, 340 maybe configured to include, for example, wireless device 10 (FIG. 1)and/or cell monitoring component 12 (FIG. 1) as described above.

As the UE 334 moves from the illustrated location in cell 304 into cell306, a serving cell change (SCC) or handover may occur in whichcommunication with the UE 334 transitions from the cell 304, which maybe referred to as the source cell, to cell 306, which may be referred toas the target cell. Management of the handover procedure may take placeat the UE 334, at the Node Bs corresponding to the respective cells, ata radio network controller 206 (see earlier figure), or at anothersuitable node in the wireless network. For example, during a call withthe source cell 304, or at any other time, the UE 334 may monitorvarious parameters of the source cell 304 as well as various parametersof neighboring cells such as cells 306 and 302. Further, depending onthe quality of these parameters, the UE 334 may maintain communicationwith one or more of the neighboring cells. During this time, the UE 334may maintain an Active Set, that is, a list of cells that the UE 334 issimultaneously connected to (i.e., the UTRA cells that are currentlyassigning a downlink dedicated physical channel DPCH or fractionaldownlink dedicated physical channel F-DPCH to the UE 334 may constitutethe Active Set).

The modulation and multiple access scheme employed by the access network300 may vary depending on the particular telecommunications standardbeing deployed. By way of example, the standard may includeEvolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) or Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB). EV-DOand UMB are air interface standards promulgated by the 3rd GenerationPartnership Project 2 (3GPP2) as part of the CDMA2000 family ofstandards and employs CDMA to provide broadband Internet access tomobile stations. The standard may alternately be Universal TerrestrialRadio Access (UTRA) employing Wideband-CDMA (W-CDMA) and other variantsof CDMA, such as TD-SCDMA; Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM)employing TDMA; and Evolved UTRA (E-UTRA), Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB),IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, and Flash-OFDMemploying OFDMA. UTRA, E-UTRA, UMTS, LTE, LTE Advanced, and GSM aredescribed in documents from the 3GPP organization. CDMA2000 and UMB aredescribed in documents from the 3GPP2 organization. The actual wirelesscommunication standard and the multiple access technology employed willdepend on the specific application and the overall design constraintsimposed on the system.

The radio protocol architecture may take on various forms depending onthe particular application. An example for an HSPA system will now bepresented with reference to FIG. 14.

FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of the radioprotocol architecture 400 for the user plane 402 and the control plane404 of a user equipment (UE) or node B/base station. For example,architecture 400 may be included in a UE such as wireless device 10(FIG. 1 or FIG. 2). The radio protocol architecture 400 for the UE andnode B is shown with three layers: Layer 1 406, Layer 2 408, and Layer 3410. Layer 1 406 is the lowest lower and implements various physicallayer signal processing functions. As such, Layer 1 406 includes thephysical layer 407. Layer 2 (L2 layer) 408 is above the physical layer407 and is responsible for the link between the UE and node B over thephysical layer 407. Layer 3 (L3 layer) 410 includes a radio resourcecontrol (RRC) sublayer 415. The RRC sublayer 415 handles the controlplane signaling of Layer 3 between the UE and the UTRAN.

In the user plane, the L2 layer 408 includes a media access control(MAC) sublayer 409, a radio link control (RLC) sublayer 411, and apacket data convergence protocol (PDCP) 413 sublayer, which areterminated at the node B on the network side. Although not shown, the UEmay have several upper layers above the L2 layer 408 including a networklayer (e.g., IP layer) that is terminated at a PDN gateway on thenetwork side, and an application layer that is terminated at the otherend of the connection (e.g., far end UE, server, etc.).

The PDCP sublayer 413 provides multiplexing between different radiobearers and logical channels. The PDCP sublayer 413 also provides headercompression for upper layer data packets to reduce radio transmissionoverhead, security by ciphering the data packets, and handover supportfor UEs between node Bs. The RLC sublayer 411 provides segmentation andreassembly of upper layer data packets, retransmission of lost datapackets, and reordering of data packets to compensate for out-of-orderreception due to hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ). The MACsublayer 409 provides multiplexing between logical and transportchannels. The MAC sublayer 409 is also responsible for allocating thevarious radio resources (e.g., resource blocks) in one cell among theUEs. The MAC sublayer 409 is also responsible for HARQ operations.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a communication system 500 including aNode B 510 in communication with a UE 550, where the UE 550 may bewireless device 10 in FIGS. 1-2, and 6. In the downlink communication, atransmit processor 520 may receive data from a data source 512 andcontrol signals from a controller/processor 540. The transmit processor520 provides various signal processing functions for the data andcontrol signals, as well as reference signals (e.g., pilot signals). Forexample, the transmit processor 520 may provide cyclic redundancy check(CRC) codes for error detection, coding and interleaving to facilitateforward error correction (FEC), mapping to signal constellations basedon various modulation schemes (e.g., binary phase-shift keying (BPSK),quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK), M-phase-shift keying (M-PSK),M-quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM), and the like), spreading withorthogonal variable spreading factors (OVSF), and multiplying withscrambling codes to produce a series of symbols. Channel estimates froma channel processor 544 may be used by a controller/processor 540 todetermine the coding, modulation, spreading, and/or scrambling schemesfor the transmit processor 520. These channel estimates may be derivedfrom a reference signal transmitted by the UE 550 or from feedback fromthe UE 550. The symbols generated by the transmit processor 520 areprovided to a transmit frame processor 530 to create a frame structure.The transmit frame processor 530 creates this frame structure bymultiplexing the symbols with information from the controller/processor540, resulting in a series of frames. The frames are then provided to atransmitter 532, which provides various signal conditioning functionsincluding amplifying, filtering, and modulating the frames onto acarrier for downlink transmission over the wireless medium throughantenna 534. The antenna 534 may include one or more antennas, forexample, including beam steering bidirectional adaptive antenna arraysor other similar beam technologies.

At the UE 550, a receiver 554 receives the downlink transmission throughan antenna 552 and processes the transmission to recover the informationmodulated onto the carrier. The information recovered by the receiver554 is provided to a receive frame processor 560, which parses eachframe, and provides information from the frames to a channel processor594 and the data, control, and reference signals to a receive processor570. The receive processor 570 then performs the inverse of theprocessing performed by the transmit processor 520 in the Node B 510.More specifically, the receive processor 570 descrambles and despreadsthe symbols, and then determines the most likely signal constellationpoints transmitted by the Node B 510 based on the modulation scheme.These soft decisions may be based on channel estimates computed by thechannel processor 594. The soft decisions are then decoded anddeinterleaved to recover the data, control, and reference signals. TheCRC codes are then checked to determine whether the frames weresuccessfully decoded. The data carried by the successfully decodedframes will then be provided to a data sink 572, which representsapplications running in the UE 550 and/or various user interfaces (e.g.,display). Control signals carried by successfully decoded frames will beprovided to a controller/processor 590. When frames are unsuccessfullydecoded by the receiver processor 570, the controller/processor 590 mayalso use an acknowledgement (ACK) and/or negative acknowledgement (NACK)protocol to support retransmission requests for those frames.

In the uplink, data from a data source 578 and control signals from thecontroller/processor 590 are provided to a transmit processor 580. Thedata source 578 may represent applications running in the UE 550 andvarious user interfaces (e.g., keyboard). Similar to the functionalitydescribed in connection with the downlink transmission by the Node B510, the transmit processor 580 provides various signal processingfunctions including CRC codes, coding and interleaving to facilitateFEC, mapping to signal constellations, spreading with OVSFs, andscrambling to produce a series of symbols. Channel estimates, derived bythe channel processor 594 from a reference signal transmitted by theNode B 510 or from feedback contained in the midamble transmitted by theNode B 510, may be used to select the appropriate coding, modulation,spreading, and/or scrambling schemes. The symbols produced by thetransmit processor 580 will be provided to a transmit frame processor582 to create a frame structure. The transmit frame processor 582creates this frame structure by multiplexing the symbols withinformation from the controller/processor 590, resulting in a series offrames. The frames are then provided to a transmitter 556, whichprovides various signal conditioning functions including amplification,filtering, and modulating the frames onto a carrier for uplinktransmission over the wireless medium through the antenna 552.

The uplink transmission is processed at the Node B 510 in a mannersimilar to that described in connection with the receiver function atthe UE 550. A receiver 535 receives the uplink transmission through theantenna 534 and processes the transmission to recover the informationmodulated onto the carrier. The information recovered by the receiver535 is provided to a receive frame processor 536, which parses eachframe, and provides information from the frames to the channel processor544 and the data, control, and reference signals to a receive processor538. The receive processor 538 performs the inverse of the processingperformed by the transmit processor 580 in the UE 550. The data andcontrol signals carried by the successfully decoded frames may then beprovided to a data sink 539 and the controller/processor, respectively.If some of the frames were unsuccessfully decoded by the receiveprocessor, the controller/processor 540 may also use an acknowledgement(ACK) and/or negative acknowledgement (NACK) protocol to supportretransmission requests for those frames.

The controller/processors 540 and 590 may be used to direct theoperation at the Node B 510 and the UE 550, respectively. For example,the controller/processors 540 and 590 may provide various functionsincluding timing, peripheral interfaces, voltage regulation, powermanagement, and other control functions. The computer readable media ofmemories 542 and 592 may store data and software for the Node B 510 andthe UE 550, respectively. A scheduler/processor 546 at the Node B 510may be used to allocate resources to the UEs and schedule downlinkand/or uplink transmissions for the UEs.

Several aspects of a telecommunications system have been presented withreference to a W-CDMA system. As those skilled in the art will readilyappreciate, various aspects described throughout this disclosure may beextended to other telecommunication systems, network architectures andcommunication standards.

By way of example, various aspects may be extended to other UMTS systemssuch as TD-SCDMA, High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), High SpeedUplink Packet Access (HSUPA), High Speed Packet Access Plus (HSPA+) andTD-CDMA. Various aspects may also be extended to systems employing LongTerm Evolution (LTE) (in FDD, TDD, or both modes), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A)(in FDD, TDD, or both modes), CDMA2000, Evolution-Data Optimized(EV-DO), Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16(WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Bluetooth, and/or othersuitable systems. The actual telecommunication standard, networkarchitecture, and/or communication standard employed will depend on thespecific application and the overall design constraints imposed on thesystem.

In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, an element, or anyportion of an element, or any combination of elements may be implementedwith a “processing system” or processor (FIG. 11) that includes one ormore processors. Examples of processors include microprocessors,microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmablegate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), state machines,gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardwareconfigured to perform the various functionality described throughoutthis disclosure. One or more processors in the processing system mayexecute software. Software shall be construed broadly to meaninstructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code,programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, softwareapplications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects,executables, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whetherreferred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardwaredescription language, or otherwise. The software may reside on acomputer-readable medium 106 (FIG. 11). The computer-readable medium 106(FIG. 11) may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Anon-transitory computer-readable medium includes, by way of example, amagnetic storage device (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic strip),an optical disk (e.g., compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD)),a smart card, a flash memory device (e.g., card, stick, key drive),random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM(PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), aregister, a removable disk, and any other suitable medium for storingsoftware and/or instructions that may be accessed and read by acomputer. The computer-readable medium may also include, by way ofexample, a carrier wave, a transmission line, and any other suitablemedium for transmitting software and/or instructions that may beaccessed and read by a computer. The computer-readable medium may beresident in the processing system, external to the processing system, ordistributed across multiple entities including the processing system.The computer-readable medium may be embodied in a computer-programproduct. By way of example, a computer-program product may include acomputer-readable medium in packaging materials. Those skilled in theart will recognize how best to implement the described functionalitypresented throughout this disclosure depending on the particularapplication and the overall design constraints imposed on the overallsystem.

It is to be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps inthe methods disclosed is an illustration of exemplary processes. Basedupon design preferences, it is understood that the specific order orhierarchy of steps in the methods may be rearranged. The accompanyingmethod claims present elements of the various steps in a sample order,and are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchypresented unless specifically recited therein.

The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the various aspects described herein. Variousmodifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilledin the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied toother aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to theaspects shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistentwith the language of the claims, wherein reference to an element in thesingular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specificallyso stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specifically statedotherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. A phrase referring to“at least one of a list of” items refers to any combination of thoseitems, including single members. As an example, “at least one of: a, b,or c” is intended to cover: a; b; c; a and b; a and c; b and c; and a, band c. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of thevarious aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known orlater come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art areexpressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to beencompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein isintended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether suchdisclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is tobe construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph,unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or,in the case of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase“step for.”

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of measurement in a wirelesscommunication system, comprising: operating a wireless device on a firstwireless communication technology; detecting a first cell on a firstfrequency of a second wireless communication technology, wherein thesecond wireless communication technology is preferred relative to thefirst wireless communication technology based on a preference scheme;determining that the detected first cell of the second wirelesscommunication technology satisfies a first reselection criterionincluding a first threshold based on a first measurement; identifying agroup of frequencies of the second wireless communication technology,wherein the group of frequencies includes the first frequency of thedetected cell and a second frequency identified as an undetectedfrequency, the undetected frequency based on monitoring the secondfrequency without detecting a second cell; expediting a determination ofwhether to perform cell reselection to the second wireless communicationtechnology based on the undetected frequency and the detected first cellof the second wireless communication technology satisfying the firstreselection criterion and being associated with the preference scheme,wherein the expediting the determination of whether to perform cellreselection comprises increasing a frequency of measuring the group offrequencies associated with the detected first cell; determining toreselect from the first wireless communication technology to thedetected first cell of the second wireless communication technology whenat least one new measurement based on the increased measurementfrequency of the signal of the detected cell satisfies a secondreselection criterion having a second threshold; and operating thewireless device on the second wireless communication technology.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: identifying a detected group offrequencies by removing each undetected frequency from the group offrequencies; and wherein expediting the determination of whether toperform cell reselection further comprises expediting for the detectedgroup of frequencies.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the detectedgroup of frequencies only includes the first frequency.
 4. The method ofclaim 2, wherein expediting the determination of whether to perform cellreselection further comprises reducing a measurement periodicity of thedetected first cell or the detected group of frequencies of the secondwireless communication technology.
 5. The method of claim 4, whereinreducing the measurement periodicity comprises changing from a normalmeasurement periodicity to a fast measurement periodicity, wherein avalue of the normal measurement periodicity is a function of a number ofthe group of frequencies and wherein a value of the fast measurementperiodicity is a function of a number of the detected group offrequencies.
 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising additionallyreducing the value of the fast measurement periodicity based on thedetected first cell of the second wireless communication technologysatisfying a reselection criterion.
 7. The method of claim 4, furthercomprising: measuring the detected first cell of the second wirelesscommunication technology according to the reduced measurementperiodicity; wherein determining to reselect to the detected first cellof the second wireless communication technology comprises determiningthat the measurement of the detected first cell of the second wirelesscommunication technology during the reduced measurement periodicitysatisfies the second reselection criterion; and reselecting from thefirst wireless communication technology to the detected first cell ofthe second wireless communication technology after expiration of areselection time period.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein operating onthe first wireless communication technology comprises operating on aWideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) technology, and whereindetecting the first cell of the second wireless communication technologycomprises detecting the first cell operating on an Long Term Evolution(LTE) technology.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:reselecting from the first wireless communication technology to thedetected first cell of the second wireless communication technologyafter expiration of a reselection time period; and operating thewireless device on the second wireless communication technology.
 10. Anapparatus for wireless communication, comprising: at least oneprocessor; and a memory coupled to the at least one processor, whereinthe at least one processor is configured to: operate a wireless deviceon a first wireless communication technology; detect a first cell on afirst frequency of a second wireless communication technology, whereinthe second wireless communication technology is preferred relative tothe first wireless communication technology based on a preferencescheme; determine that the detected first cell of the second wirelesscommunication technology satisfies a first reselection criterionincluding a first threshold based on a first measurement; identify agroup of frequencies of the second wireless communication technology,wherein the group of frequencies includes the first frequency of thedetected cell and a second frequency identified as an undetectedfrequency, the undetected frequency based on monitoring the secondfrequency without detecting a second cell; expedite a determination ofwhether to perform cell reselection to the second wireless communicationtechnology based on the undetected frequency and the detected first cellof the second wireless communication technology satisfying the firstreselection criterion and being associated with the preference scheme,wherein the at least one processor configured to expedite thedetermination of whether to perform cell reselection is furtherconfigured to increase a frequency of measuring the group of frequenciesassociated with the detected first cell; determine to reselect from thefirst wireless communication technology to the detected first cell ofthe second wireless communication technology when at least one newmeasurement based on the increased measurement frequency of the signalof the detected cell satisfies a second reselection criterion having asecond threshold; and operating the wireless device on the secondwireless communication technology.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10,further comprising: the at least one processor further configured to:identify a detected group of frequencies by removing each undetectedfrequency from the group of frequencies; and wherein the at least oneprocessor configured to expedite the determination of whether to performcell reselection is further configured to expedite for the detectedgroup of frequencies.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein thedetected group of frequencies only includes the first frequency.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 11, wherein the at least one processor configured toexpedite the determination of whether to perform cell reselection isfurther configured to reduce a measurement periodicity of the detectedfirst cell or the detected group of frequencies of the second wirelesscommunication technology.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the atleast one processor configured to reduce the measurement periodicity isfurther configured to change from a normal measurement periodicity to afast measurement periodicity, wherein a value of the normal measurementperiodicity is a function of a number of the group of frequencies andwherein a value of the fast measurement periodicity is a function of anumber of the detected group of frequencies.
 15. The apparatus of claim14, wherein the at least one processor is additionally configured toreduce the value of the fast measurement periodicity based on thedetected first cell of the second wireless communication technologysatisfying a reselection criterion.
 16. The apparatus of claim 3,further comprising: the at least one processor further configured to:measure the detected first cell of the second wireless communicationtechnology according to the reduced measurement periodicity; wherein theat least one processor configured to determine to reselect to thedetected first cell of the second wireless communication technology isfurther configured to determine that the measurement of the detectedfirst cell of the second wireless communication technology during thereduced measurement periodicity satisfies the second reselectioncriterion; and reselect from the first wireless communication technologyto the detected first cell of the second wireless communicationtechnology after expiration of a reselection time period.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one processor configured tooperate on the first wireless communication technology is furtherconfigured to operate on a WCDMA technology, and wherein the at leastone processor configured to detect the first cell of the second wirelesscommunication technology is further configured to detect the first celloperating on LTE technology.
 18. The apparatus of claim 10, furthercomprising: the at least one processor further configured to: reselectfrom the first wireless communication technology to the detected firstcell of the second wireless communication technology after expiration ofa reselection time period; and operate the wireless device on the secondwireless communication technology.
 19. An apparatus of measurement in awireless communication system, comprising: means for operating awireless device on a first wireless communication technology; means fordetecting a first cell on a first frequency of a second wirelesscommunication technology, wherein the second wireless communicationtechnology is preferred relative to the first wireless communicationtechnology based on a preference scheme; means for determining that thedetected first cell of the second wireless communication technologysatisfies a first reselection criterion including a first thresholdbased on a first measurement; means for identifying a group offrequencies of the second wireless communication technology, wherein thegroup of frequencies includes the first frequency of the detected celland a second frequency identified as an undetected frequency, theundetected frequency based on monitoring the second frequency withoutdetecting a second cell; means for expediting a determination of whetherto perform cell reselection to the second wireless communicationtechnology based on the undetected frequency and the detected first cellof the second wireless communication technology satisfying the firstreselection criterion and being associated with the preference scheme,wherein the means for expediting the determination of whether to performcell reselection comprises means for increasing a frequency of measuringthe detected first cell; means for determining to reselect from thefirst wireless communication technology to the detected first cell ofthe second wireless communication technology when at least one newmeasurement based on the increased measurement frequency of the signalof the detected cell satisfies a second reselection criterion having asecond threshold; and means for operating the wireless device on thesecond wireless communication technology.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19,further comprising: means for identifying a detected group offrequencies by removing each undetected frequency from the group offrequencies; and wherein means for expediting the determination ofwhether to perform cell reselection further comprises means forexpediting for the detected group of frequencies.
 21. The apparatus ofclaim 20, wherein the detected group of frequencies only includes thefirst frequency.
 22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein means forexpediting the determination of whether to perform cell reselectionfurther comprises means for reducing a measurement periodicity of thedetected first cell or the detected group of frequencies of the secondwireless communication technology.
 23. The apparatus of claim 22,wherein means for reducing the measurement periodicity compriseschanging from a normal measurement periodicity to a fast measurementperiodicity, wherein a value of the normal measurement periodicity is afunction of a number of the group of frequencies and wherein a value ofthe fast measurement periodicity is a function of a number of thedetected group of frequencies.
 24. The apparatus of claim 23, furthercomprising means for additionally reducing the value of the fastmeasurement periodicity based on the detected first cell of the secondwireless communication technology satisfying a reselection criterion.25. The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising: means for measuringthe detected first cell of the second wireless communication technologyaccording to the reduced measurement periodicity; wherein means fordetermining to reselect to the detected first cell of the secondwireless communication technology comprises means for determining thatthe measurement of the detected first cell of the second wirelesscommunication technology during the reduced measurement periodicitysatisfies the second reselection criterion; and means for reselectingfrom the first wireless communication technology to the detected firstcell of the second wireless communication technology after expiration ofa reselection time period.
 26. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein meansfor operating on the first wireless communication technology comprisesmeans for operating on a WCDMA technology, and wherein means fordetecting the first cell of the second wireless communication technologycomprises means for detecting the first cell operating on an LTEtechnology.
 27. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising: means forreselecting from the first wireless communication technology to thedetected first cell of the second wireless communication technologyafter expiration of a reselection time period; and means for operatingthe wireless device on the second wireless communication technology. 28.A computer program product, comprising: a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium comprising code for: operating a wirelessdevice on a first wireless communication technology; detecting a firstcell on a first frequency of a second wireless communication technology,wherein the second wireless communication technology is preferredrelative to the first wireless communication technology based on apreference scheme; determining that the detected first cell of thesecond wireless communication technology satisfies a first reselectioncriterion including a first threshold based on a first measurement;identifying a group of frequencies of the second wireless communicationtechnology, wherein the group of frequencies includes the firstfrequency of the detected cell and a second frequency identified as anundetected frequency, the undetected frequency based on monitoring thesecond frequency without detecting a second cell; expediting adetermination of whether to perform cell reselection to the secondwireless communication technology based on the undetected frequency andthe detected first cell of the second wireless communication technologysatisfying the first reselection criterion and being associated with thepreference scheme, wherein the expediting the determination of whetherto perform cell reselection comprises increasing a frequency ofmeasuring the detected first cell; determining to reselect from thefirst wireless communication technology to the detected first cell ofthe second wireless communication technology when at least one newmeasurement based on the increased measurement frequency of the signalof the detected cell satisfies a second reselection criterion having asecond threshold; and means for operating the wireless device on thesecond wireless communication technology.